Valve-controlling mechanism for sprinkler systems



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. R. FREEMAN; VALVE CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR. SPRINKLER SYSTEMS. No. 568,343.

Patented Sept. 29, 1896-.

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(No Model.)

J; R. FREEMAN. VALVE GONTROLLINGMEGHANISM FOR SPRINKLER SYSTEMS.

Patented 'S ept. 29, 1896.

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UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

JOHN R. FREEMAN, OF VVINOHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.-

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 568,343, dated September 29, 1896.

Application filed December 27, 1895. Serial No. 673,442. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN R. FREEMAN, of Vinchester, county of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Valve- Controlling Mechanism for Sprinkler Systems, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters and figures on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention has for its object the production of means for instantly and effectively controlling the main inlet-valve for sprinkler systems, whereby an undue variation in the normal pressure maintained in the pipes of the system will automatically open the connections between said system and the main source of water supply.

The invention hereinafter to be described is adapted for use with either the wet or dry sprinkler systems, but as the latter system is in many respects and under certain conditions preferable I have shown my invention as applied thereto.

In the dry system the pipes leading through the various rooms of the building, and which are provided with sprinkler -heads of any desired construction, may be normally filled with air under small pressure, or a more or less partial vacuum may be maintained, and various means have been devised for opening the main valve in the water-supply pipe when one or more of the sprinkler-heads have opened, as by a fire, so that the pipes of the system may be filled with water with the least possible delay, such opening of the sprinkler-head causing a change or variation of pressure in the pipes of the system.

In my efforts to improve the valve-controlling mechanism I have, by a simple combination of weights and levers, provided a directacting and rapidly-moving valve-actuator, herein shown as a hydraulic piston, governed as to its operation by variation of normal pressure in the sprinkler-pipes of the system.

Figure 1,'in side elevation and partial section, represents a valve-controlling mechanism embodying my invention, with the parts in normal position, arranged for the normal maintenance of an air-pressure in the sprinkler system. Fig. 2 is a right-hand end elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional detail to be described, and Fig. 4 is a partial detail of the controlling mechanism arranged for operation with a dry-pipe sprinkler system wherein is normally maintained a pressure below that of the atmosphere.

The water-supply pipe or main has a valve-casing A, provided with preferably a straightway valve A of suitable construction, interposed between the main source of supply (not shown) and the sprinkler system, to which system the main A is connected by a suitable pipe A Fig. 1.

A suitable framework A is bolted or otherwise secured to the valve-casing A, supporting a cylinder at, having an open upper end, the valve-stem a extending through suitable packing-boxes a and a in the valve-casing and cylinder-bottom, respectively, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

A head a is secured to the end of the valvestem within the cylinder, to which is bolted a flanged ring a between which and the head a a suitable packing p is securely held, the packing being overturned between the cylinder-wall and flange of the ring, forming a Water-tight piston for the cylinder.

The annular space between the cylinderwall and the head will preferably be filled with oil to maintain the packing soft and in tight condition.

The area of the under side of the piston is preferably considerably larger than the area of the valve A and when the latter is seated the piston is near the bottom of its cylinder, as shown in Fig. 1.

A pipe a connects the cylinder at beneath the piston with the supply-main at that side of the main inlet-valve A farthest from the sprinkler system, a suitable valve a (see dotted lines, Fig. 1) within the casing a normally cutting off communication between the cylinder and water-supply pipe A.

The stem 12 of the cut-off valve is provided with a slotted extensionb, the outer end being movable longitudinally in a guide b on the frame or bracket A while the shorter arm of an elbow-lever b ,'fulorumed at U is extenc ed into the slotted extension, sothat depression of the long arm of said lever will IOO move the valvc-stem Z) and its attached valve outwardly to establish communication between the cylinder a and supply-pipe A.

On the exterior of the cylinder I have formed a chamber 0, closed by a suitable flexible diaphragm held in place on the cylinder by a spider c-, having an annular base and bolted in place, a suitable pipe 0 leading from the pipes of the sprinkler system (not shown) to the chamber 0, so that the pressure in the chamber and sprinkler system will be the same.

Through the bearing 0 of the spider is loosely extended a spindle. c rigidly secured to the diaphragm c, as by a screw 2 and washer 3,Fig. 1,said spindle beinglongitudinally sl0tted at c and preferably rounded at its outer end to run between antifriction guide-rolls 5 and 6.

The spindle forms a detent and is stepped at its outer end at c for a purpose to be described, the pressure of the fluid in the chamber c acting on the diaphragm c to move the detent outwardly, while the downturned end cl of a lever d, pivoted at d on an ear of the spider 0 moves the detent in the opposite direction, said lever being shown as widened at (1* to form a seat for one or more weights \V, slipped over an upright pin (1*. So long as the weight TV, acting through its lever d on the detent 0 is counterbalanced by the pressure on the inner side of the diaphragm c the detent will be maintained stationary, it being understood that air under pressure is normally maintained in the sprinkler system, but any diminution of such pressure in the chamber 0 will immediately destroy the equilibrium and the weight will drop quickly, turning the lever (Z to move the detent c instantly to the left, Fig. 1, into inoperative position.

The cut-oii-valve actuator is shown as a heavy weight or mass of metal \V, slotted at w to receive the bifurcated end f of a barf, a suitable cushion w, of rubber or other eushioning material, being secured to the bottom of the weight XV by screws to act as a buffer in the fall of the weight, the buiter at such time resting upon the pipe A to relieve the various parts from shock and danger of breakage. At its upper end the barf is bent and rests against a guide-roll 7, while a notch f 011 its inner side receives the stepped end of the detent c, the top of the notch resting firmly yet easily on the step 0 so that the actuator is held suspended while the cut-off valve is closed.

A projection on the bracket guides the inner side of the bar f, and the bifurcated portion f of the latter straddles the long upturned end of the valve-lever a pair of guide-pins 21, extended transversely through the lever-arm, serving to prevent lateral displacement of: the barf when it descends, the lever being preferably slightly notched at I) to receive it.

In operation, when the detent c is moved to the left, by diminution of pressure in the chamber 0, due to the opening of one or more sprinkler-heads, for instance, the stepped end of the detent is withdrawn from the notch f of the actuator-bar and the weight falls, the barf striking the lever Z1 with a quick heavy blow, instantly turning it to open the cut-oil valve, thus overcoming most effectively any corrosion or sticking of the parts.

As soon as the cut-off valve is opened the water from pipe Arushes through the pipe a into the cylinder at, beneath its piston, and causes the latter to rise, taking with it the stem a, forming a hydraulic piston or actuator to gradually open the main valve A so that the water can pass directly to the sprinkler system.

By making use of gravity to operate the cut-oft-valvc actuator and its detent, I am always sure of the operation of the mechanism whenever the occasion arises, and not only that, but the weights act in a much quicker and more positive manner than can be attained with springs and other devices.

A drip-valve a is fitted in the bottom of the cylinder to discharge water therefrom when resetting the controlling mechanism, and a second drip-tube or overflow a is provided near the upper end of the cylinder for testing or other purposes.

In order to conveniently operate the valve A by hand, the retaining-nutn on the end of the stem ct is upturned, extending almost to the cylinder-top when the piston is down, said nut having a slot n" therein, through which a pinch-bar may be passed to raise or lower the stem and valve.

011 the cylinder-wall, opposite the slot 11, is pivoted an arm 7b, having one or more slots h and adapted to be upturned, as shown in Fig. 1, so that by resting a bar on the nut/1, with one end in a slot 7L, and depressing the other end, the piston and valve may be forced down to seat the main valve A Inasmuch as it is very desirable to test the valve-controlling mechanism from time to time without filling the sprinkler system with water, I prefer to insert in the supply-pipe A a test-valve A between the main valve A and the end of the pipe a, so that by shutting the test-valve A the whole valve-controlling mechanism maybe tested under normal conditions without filling the sprinkler system.

Of course the test-valve will be open except when such a test is to be made, and it is to be understood that the omission of such test-valve does not change the spirit and scope of my invention, nor is my invention limited to the precise construction and arrangement herein shown and described.

The guide-rolls 5, (3, and 7 tend to eliminate friction of the movable parts, while serving as guides, and the ditterences in the lengths of the various lever-arms increase the rapidity and precision of operation of the controlling mechanism.

If it is desired to give an alarm when the valve mechanism is operated, it may be accomplished in many ways, one simple way being herein shown for giving an alarm by changing the normal condition of an electric circuit. v I

The extension Z) of the cut-off-valve stem has secured to its outer end and insulated therefrom a contact 9, forming one terminal of a wire g, forming part of an electric circuit, including a battery G and a bell G, the other terminal, 9 of the circuit being shown as a spring-contact, secured, as by a screw 9 to the frame A and insulated therefrom.

When the cut-off valve is operated, the terminals g and g contact, closing the circuit and ringing the bell.

Obviously electrical contacts might be opened or closed by the movement of other parts of the controlling mechanism to operate an alarm at any desired point.

By reversing the lever d the apparatus can be adapted for use when a, pressure less than that of the atmosphere is maintained in the sprinkler system.

In Fig. 4 the apparatus is somewhat changed to adapt it to a sprinkler system wherein a pressure less than that of the atmosphere is normally maintained in the pipes of the system, the'adaptat-ion shown being substantially a reversal of some of the parts. The hydraulic cylinder ahas formed in its exterior the chamber c, as heretofore described,closed by a flexible diaphragm c, retained by a ring or spider (only partially shown,) said chamber communicating with the sprinkler-system pipes by the opening 0 substantially as has been heretofore described. A spindle e is secured to the diaphragm c in suitable manner, and an elbow-lever e pivoted at 0 on an extension 7 of the frame A is provided with a weight WV one arm 0 of the lever entering a slot 0 in the spindle, the action of the weight tending to draw the spindle outward. This is resisted under normal conditions by the pressure of the atmosphere on the exterior of the diaphragm, it being understood that a pressure less than the atmosphere is maintained in the sprinkler system. The spindle e is guided between the rolls 5 and 6, as before, but it is slotted at 0 to receive therein the notched end f of the bar f the notch being turned outwardly and normally resting on the outer end of the slotted part of the spindle. Now when the pressure in the sprinkler system is increased, as by the opening of a sprinkler-head, the air-pressure between the two sides of the diaphragm tends to equalization, and the weight V then throws the arm 0 of the lever to the right, Fig. 4, moving the spindle 0 in the same direction, carrying the outer end of the slot 0 out of the notch f of the bar f allowing the latter to drop, it being understood that with the exception of the parts noted by different reference letters and figures the apparatus as a whole is such as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. I

There are substantial advantages obtained by the maintenance of a pressure less than that of the atmosphere, one of which advantages is that the rush of water into the sprinkler system is not retarded by the expulsion of air under pressure, even if it be low.

Any reduction of the time necessary to erate with said projection, substantially as set forth, combined with a controlling-valve for said piston, an actuator therefor, and a releasing device for said actuator, controlled by the pressure in the sprinkler system, to operate said device and release the actuator, substantially as described.

2'. In an apparatus of the class described, the main inlet-valve, a hydraulic motor therefor, and a controlling-valve for the motor, combined with a gravity actuator, a connecting-lever between it and the valve, a sliding detent to normally engage and maintain the actuator elevated, a gravity device for releasing the detent from the elevated actuator, a pressure chamber connected with the sprinkler system, and a diaphragm-cover for said chamber, connected to and to normally maintain the detent operative, said gravity actuator, when disengaged from said sliding detent, being free to fall into contact with said connecting-lever to release said controlling-valve by the resulting blow, substantially as described.

.In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

- JOHN R. FREEMAN.

Witnesses:

JOHN G. Enwnnos, AUGUSTA E. DEAN. 

